PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mo Rashid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rashid comes to the cage accompanied by i kill people. Mo Rashid has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Rashid
vs
Rodrigo Nogueira

190 cm
22
260 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

225 cm
22
250 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mo Rashid!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Seu Braga and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rashid wants to clinch up but Nogueira keeps it at a distance.
Nogueira shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rashid as he jumps to the side.

Rashid gets caught flat footed, as Nogueira shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Nogueira drops back looking for a leg! Rashid is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rashid manages to kick Nogueira off! Nogueira jumps back into Rashid's guard.
Rashid has his hands on Nogueira's head, controlling the position.
Nogueira stopping the sweep attempt from Rashid.
Rashid is pulling down on Nogueira's head to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rashid working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nogueira doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nogueira manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nogueira pushing down on Rashid's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rashid preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Nogueira is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Rashid has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nogueira thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nogueira trying to control the action but Rashid is working from the bottom.
Rashid is trying to control but can't.
Rashid misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Rashid is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nogueira's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nogueira's back!
Nogueira trying to control but not successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rashid is trying to stick to Nogueira's back but Nogueira is turning into Rashid. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Rashid's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Nogueira.

Nogueira has gone for a leg lock! Rashid slips out almost immediately though and dives into Nogueira's guard.
Nogueira looks gassed!
Nogueira keeping moving, preventing Rashid from controlling successfully.

Nogueira had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Rashid is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Nogueira Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Rashid's back instead.

Rashid defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Nogueira's arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira doesn't have the hooks in and Rashid manages to turn into his guard.

Rashid drops back looking for a leg! Nogueira is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nogueira manages to kick Rashid off! Rashid jumps back into Nogueira's guard.
Nogueira can't keep his opponent in guard - Rashid advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Nogueira is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rashid's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rashid's back!
Nogueira not allowing Rashid to control his hands.

Nogueira is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Rashid is defending well though. Nogueira let's go of the attempt for now.
Rashid avoids the strikes from Nogueira.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rashid rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rashid manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rashid is on top in guard.

Nogueira isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Rashid stacks Nogueira on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Rashid!
Rashid working away.
Rashid cracks Nogueira with an elbow. That is naaassty.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mo Rashid will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rashid darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Nogueira has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rashid is working away from the top position though.
Rashid wants to free his trapped foot but Nogueira is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Nogueira looking for submissions off his back.
Nice strikes from Rashid there.

Rashid stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rashid throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rashid fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Nogueira sprawls well initially but Rashid persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rashid is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Rashid seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Nogueira for as long as he can get away with.

Nogueira looking for submissions off his back.

Rashid is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nogueira doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rashid.
Nogueira is in trouble now - Rashid has advanced to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rashid looking to control but Nogueira is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Nogueira throwing hammer fists to the chest of Rashid. What's that going to do exactly?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rashid working Nogueira over with strikes here.
Nogueira sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Nogueira trying to control from the bottom.
Rashid passes into side control, despite Nogueira's attempt to control the position.
Mo Rashid overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nogueira is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rashid's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rashid is thwarting Nogueira's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Nogueira looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rashid looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Nogueira with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rashid passes into side control, despite Nogueira's attempt to control the position.
Nogueira is trying to control Rashid's posture but Rashid avoids it.
Nogueira gets back to half guard.
Nogueira has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rashid is working away from the top position though.
Nogueira wants to get back to full guard but Rashid has passed into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rashid lands a heavy elbow.
Rashid wants to control the pace but Nogueira is squirming around nicely.
Rashid avoids the attempt from Nogueira to control.
Nogueira really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rashid controlling the position easily from mount.
Rashid lands with some strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mo Rashid dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Nogueira misses with a takedown attempt
and Rashid counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Rashid moves into the clinch successfully.
Rashid keeps control of Nogueira as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nogueira drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Rashid breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Rashid feints and as Nogueira raises his hands in defense, Rashid changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Nogueira can't keep his opponent in guard - Rashid advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Rashid tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Nogueira flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rashid moves nicely into side control.
Rashid trying to control the position but Nogueira is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rashid decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Nogueira is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Nogueira scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rashid is looking for a sweep.

Nogueira tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rashid sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rashid tries to roll over but Nogueira keeps him under control.

Nogueira is looking for a kimura but Rashid is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Nogueira to get the leverage.
Rashid might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rashid flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Rashid is refusing to be controlled, as Nogueira sits in half guard.
Nogueira throwing shots but Rashid is blocking nicely.

Nogueira is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rashid defends it well.

Rashid looking for submissions off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nogueira misses with a takedown

and Rashid counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Mo Rashid has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rashid lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rashid is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Nogueira looking for submissions off his back.

Nogueira looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nogueira flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nogueira is trying to maintain the position but Rashid is very close to passing his half guard.

Nogueira is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Rashid pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rashid slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nogueira gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Rashid counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rashid.

Nogueira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rashid wants to pass the guard but Nogueira is keeping the position.
Rashid has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rashid tries to stand but Nogueira is controlling from the bottom.

Nogueira escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rashid gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rashid trying to control the position from guard on top but Nogueira is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mo Rashid showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rashid has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight for Mo Rashid!
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight for Mo Rashid!
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight for Mo Rashid!

Mo Rashid wins by unanimous decision!